Emmanuel Macron gathers the European auto industry at the Élysée and champions European preference ahead of the Paris Motor Show

A dinner at the Élysée ahead of the show

According to BFM Business, Emmanuel Macron is set to open the last Mondial de l'Auto of his two terms in office. The evening before, on Sunday, October 11, he is hosting around sixty European industry representatives at the Élysée. The outlet reports that the head of state may use the occasion to present his vision for the sector.

The topics announced are electrification, innovation and, above all, European preference in the face of very aggressive competition.

No Chinese carmakers at the table

According to BFM Business, China, the main exporter to the continent, will have no carmakers around the table. The Élysée explained that the guests are only players that have invested in Europe for a long time. According to the same outlet, the president wants to position himself as the defender of the European auto industry against low-cost Asian producers.

Curbing hybrid car exports

BFM Business reports that China agreed on Friday to significantly reduce its sales of hybrid cars to the European Union. According to the outlet, this should prevent millions of these vehicles from arriving over the coming years. It adds that quotas on hybrids could follow, after the surcharges already imposed on electric vehicles.

The Élysée's electric vehicle figures

The Élysée states that electrification is driving the recovery in both the market and production in France. The presidency says the market share of electric vehicles rose from 1% in 2017 to 40% in September. It specifies that "Made in France" is gaining ground in the batteries of these vehicles and accounts for 26% of new registrations.

Made in Europe or Made with Europe

According to BFM Business, the European Commission proposed in March requiring companies in strategic sectors, including automotive, to source "Made in Europe" products in order to keep receiving public subsidies. France had long called for this measure, the outlet notes.

Brussels would like to include goods from certain of the EU's trading partners. According to BFM Business, Germany and several other countries support this approach, which they call "Made with Europe."

On Monday, BFM Business says, Emmanuel Macron will visit the stands of Valeo, Renault, Stellantis and La Fabrique de l'Innovation, then chair a round table on autonomous vehicles.

Analysis

The elements reported by BFM Business point to two simultaneous trends: the French executive is pursuing a line of European preference, while China is agreeing to limit part of its exports to the EU. The sources do not say how the difference between "Made in Europe" and "Made with Europe" will be resolved.